DATE=8/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / SIT REP (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253136
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=DILI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: At least two people have died after shooting
broke out in East Timor's capital, following an anti-
independence rally. VOA's Nick Simeone reports, the
violence comes in the lead up to Monday's scheduled
United Nations-sponsored autonomy referendum in the
disputed territory.
TEXT: The United Nations fears Monday's referendum
could lead to more of what happened in Dili Thursday.
Witnesses say members of an anti-independence militia
shot up the offices of a rival group, which has been
campaigning for separation from Indonesia. The anti-
independence faction then threatened journalists,
yelling "foreigners go home."
It's this type of violence that is worrying human
rights groups as well as the United Nations, which is
organizing Monday's vote. The balloting is designed to
put an end to East Timor's disputed status, nearly a
quarter century after Indonesia invaded the former
Portuguese colony. The United Nations has never
recognized the region's forced incorporation.
In an apparent effort to keep violence from spilling
over, a United Nations spokesman says the acting
commander of pro-independence rebels met here Thursday
with a senior Indonesian Army leader -- the first time
such a high level meeting has taken place since this
referendum was organized. Human rights groups say
Indonesian troops have recruited people into local
militias -- groups which have been accused of
terrorizing the population into casting a vote against
independence. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/GC/FC
26-Aug-1999 07:48 AM EDT (26-Aug-1999 1148 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
